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Man Who Shot Church Gunman Gets Highest Texas Civilian Honor

4 years 2 months 2 weeks ago Monday, January 13 2020 Jan 13, 2020 January 13, 2020 11:49 AM January 13, 2020 in News - AP Texas Headlines
FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2019 file photo, Jack Wilson, poses for a photo at a firing range outside his home in Granbury, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas presented the state's highest civilian honor, the Governor's Medal of Courage, to Wilson, who shot and killed a gunman who opened fire at a church in December, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abbott on Monday gave Jack Wilson the Governor's Medal of Courage. (AP Photo/Jake Bleiberg File)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday gave Texas’ highest civilian honor to a 71-year-old man who shot and killed an armed attacker at a church in December.

Abbott gave Jack Wilson the Governor’s Medal of Courage during a ceremony in Austin, calling him a hero for stopping the shooter at a church in the small town of White Settlement.

Wilson, a firearms instructor who trained the West Freeway Church of Christ’s volunteer security team, shot the attacker once in head after he opened fire with a shotgun in the church’s sanctuary. Wilson’s single shot quickly ended the attack in which two parishioners, killed 64-year-old Anton “Tony” Wallace and 67-year-old Richard White, were killed.

“When events arise, you’re going to do one of two things. You’re either going to step up and do what’s right or walk away. And I’m not one to walk away,” Wilson said in accepting the medal at the Texas Governor’s Mansion.

Authorities identified the attacker as Keith Thomas Kinnunen, 43. who had a history of criminal and psychological trouble.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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